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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 21 Feb 2006 [PDF]
• DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Secretary Rumsfeld and Gen. Pace 21 Feb 2006 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace
• General Kimmitt Outlines U.S. Strategy Against Terrorism Washington File 21 Feb 2006 -- While the U.S.-led international military coalition continues to support Iraqi and Afghan efforts to build democratic societies, America also must gear up for the "long war" against terrorism, says Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt, deputy director of the U.S. military's Central Command (CENTCOM).
• CENTAF releases combined airpower summary AFPN 21 Feb 2006 -- U.S Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for Feb. 18 to 21.
• Baghdad Bomb Kills 21 VOA 21 Feb 2006 -- Iraqi police say a car bomb has killed at least 21 people at a Baghdad market.
• Terrorist Attack Kills 21 Iraqis; U.S. Forces Discover Weapons AFPS 21 Feb 2006 -- An improvised explosive device killed 21 Iraqi civilians today in Baghdad, and two Iraqis were killed and 11 were wounded in separate attacks, military officials in Iraq reported.
• Terrorist Bombs Kill 11 Iraqis, Wound 28 AFPS 21 Feb 2006 -- Eleven Iraqi civilians were killed and 28 others were wounded yesterday when terrorists detonated two vehicle bombs in Baghdad, military officials reported.
• Soldiers unearth 15 caches near Kirkuk Army News 21 Feb 2006 -- Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers combined efforts Monday, capturing four known insurgents and unearthing a network of 15 weapons caches during a combined operation west of Kirkuk.
• Deployed wing counts down to 'The Move' AFPN 21 Feb 2006 -- The next time Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing pack their bags, it will not be to return home.
• RFE/RL Afghanistan Report, Volume 5, Number 5 21 February 2006
• Afghanistan: A U.S. Commitment 'For The Very Long Term' RFE/RL 21 Feb 2006 -- The United Nations' Security Council on 15 February unanimously expressed its support for the "Afghanistan Compact," under which international donors promised on 1 February to provide long-term help to the Afghan government
• 10th Mountain Division Takes Afghanistan Task Force Command AFPS 21 Feb 2006 -- The 10th Mountain Division assumed command of Combined Joint Task Force 76 at a ceremony here today, replacing the Southern European Task Force.
• Australia Sends More Troops to Afghanistan VOA 21 Feb 2006 -- Australia is to almost double its troop numbers in Afghanistan. It will send a 200-strong reconstruction team to the country's volatile southern region
• AFGHANISTAN: Five ex-commanders surrender arms to DIAG IRIN 21 Feb 2006 -- Five ex-commanders in Afghanistan's southwestern Paktya province voluntarily surrendered 15 mt of ammunition, as well as more than 30 light and heavy weapons, to the Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups (DIAG) programme, officials from the UN-backed initiative announced on Tuesday in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
• Airmen at Philippine exercise provide real world assistance AFPN 21 Feb 2006 -- Airmen from Yokota Air Base, Japan; Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; and Kadena AB, Japan, who were in the Philippines as part of an annual bilateral exercise, are providing real-world humanitarian assistance after mudslides engulfed a village and 1,800 people Feb. 17.
• Forward Deployed ARG Delivers Humanitarian Assistance Navy NewsStand 21 Feb 2006 -- Sailors and Marines from the Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Joint Task Force (JTF) Balikatan and USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) joined with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and a consortium of multinational relief organizations to begin delivery of supplies to the devastated area of Southern Leyte Feb.19.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS Cleveland Returns From Deployment Navy NewsStand 21 Feb 2006 -- The amphibious transport dock USS Cleveland (LPD 7) returned to San Diego Feb. 20, after completing a seven-month deployment in support of the global war on terrorism.
• Carter Hall Sailors Visit French Ship Courbet Navy NewsStand 21 Feb 2006 -- Several Sailors from the dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) and French frigate FS Courbet (F 712) took part in a unique Sailor-swap experience, Feb. 15.
• USS Blue Ridge Departs Hong Kong Navy NewsStand 21 Feb 2006 -- USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and the embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff Sailors and Marines departed the bustling port city of Hong Kong, Feb. 19.
• Soldiers Must Be Adaptive for Future, Army Chief Says AFPS 21 Feb 2006 -- The nature of the threat facing the U.S. military has changed drastically, and soldiers need to grow and become more flexible to face that threat, the Army chief of staff said here Feb. 17.
• Rumsfeld: Humanitarian Missions Important to Changing U.S. Image AFPS 21 Feb 2006 -- U.S. servicemembers helping out around the world show America's compassion, and the missions also can help to change local attitudes about the United States and its people, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said here today.
• Army testing unmanned Stryker convoys Army News 21 Feb 2006 -- Engineers conducting show-and-tell with a 20-ton robot on the last day of two weeks of trials on Fort Gordon were cautiously optimistic.
• MND HOPES 3 ITEMS IN ARMS PROCUREMENT PACKAGE WILL CLEAR LEGISLATURE CNA 21 Feb 2006 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) hopes that all three items of a long-stalled major arms procurement package will clear the Legislative Yuan intact, Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng said Tuesday.
• Pakistan Air Force plane crashes IRNA 21 Feb 2006 -- A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter aircraft crashed on Tuesday in the eastern Punjab province, a PAF statement said.
• PATRIOT PAC III MISSILES OFF SHOPPING LIST: DEFENSE MINISTER CNA 21 Feb 2006 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) is willing to remove Patriot PAC III missiles from a controversial weapons package from the United States "out of respect" for the opposition parties, National Defense Minister Lee Jye said Tuesday.
• ANGOLA: Ready to play larger security role in Africa IRIN 21 Feb 2006 -- Angola, recently emerged from decades of civil war, is now turning its attention to playing a larger peace and security role in Africa, an analyst told IRIN.
• Uzbekistan: Germany Likely To Leave Uzbek Base RFE/RL 21 Feb 2006 -- In the nine months since hundreds when the Uzbek authorities put down demonstrations in the city of Andijon, Germany has emerged as an important point of contact between the West and Uzbekistan's increasingly isolated leaders

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 21, 2006
• ATK Conducts Successful BTERM Short-range Engineering Test ATK 21 Feb 2006 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK), the United States Navy, The C.S. Draper Laboratory, and Custom Analytical Engineering Services (CAES) successfully conducted a challenging short-range, unboosted, guided flight test of ATK’s ballistic trajectory extended range munition (BTERM) in support of the Navy’s extended range munition (ERM) requirement. In this engineering test, the advanced, BTERM guided projectile flew more than 8 miles and landed within two meters of the target.
• EADS Secure Networks modernises the “RUBIS” network of the French Gendarmerie (Military Police) EADS 21 Feb 2006 -- EADS Secure Networks has signed a four-year contract with the French National Gendarmerie on modernisation of its “RUBIS” secure radio communications network. This contract, worth € 32 million, will enable the French National Gendarmerie to ensure long-term viability of its radio communications network, benefit from new applications and better respond to operational requirements.
• ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY LOCKHEED MARTIN F-16 FIGHTER PROVIDES UNMATCHED PROVEN CAPABILTIES, GLOBAL INTEROPERABILITY AND SUSTAINMENT Lockheed Martin 21 Feb 2006 -- Continued orders and the infusion of advanced technologies in the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-16, particularly in the Block 52 and Block 60 variants, keep the F-16 Fighting Falcon the multirole tactical fighter of choice for nations around the world. Lockheed Martin is highlighting the F-16 this week at the Asian Aerospace air show, the region's foremost aerospace and defense technology exhibition.
• LOCKHEED MARTIN F-22 AND F-35: THE 5TH GENERATION REVOLUTION IN MILITARY AVIATION Lockheed Martin 21 Feb 2006 -- With the F-22 Raptor reaching U.S. Air Force Initial Operational Capability last December and the scheduled first flight of the F-35 later this year, the 5TH Generation of fighter aircraft is now a reality. Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], which produces both aircraft, detailed some of the battle-changing advantages and unmatched capabilities the world's only 5TH Generation fighters now bring to the United States and its allies.
• Northrop Grumman Dedicates New Missile Engineering Center in San Bernardino Northrop Grumman 21 Feb 2006 -- Securing the future of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) operations in San Bernardino, the company cut the ribbon today on its newly-constructed Missile Engineering Center, located on Hospitality Lane near the junction of Interstates 10 and 215.
• Northrop Grumman Awarded Follow-on Contract for System That Predicts Structure Failures Northrop Grumman 21 Feb 2006 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a contract to continue development of its Structural Integrity Prognosis System (SIPS) for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
• Northrop Grumman, U.S. Navy Brief Indian Navy on Hawkeye 2000 Northrop Grumman 21 Feb 2006 -- Representatives from Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and the U.S. Navy gave detailed technical briefings in December about the Hawkeye 2000 battle management and airborne early warning system to officials of the Indian Navy.
• Raytheon Awarded $49 Million Project Hercules Follow-On Contract for Next- Generation Ballistic Missile Defense Technology Raytheon 21 Feb 2006 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a follow-on Missile Defense Agency contract valued at $49 million over the five-year period of performance for Project Hercules.
• Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Returns After More Than 4,800 Flight Hours in Fight Against Terrorism Northrop Grumman 21 Feb 2006 -- A Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle, the workhorse of the U.S. Air Force's reconnaissance fleet in the fight against terrorism, returned here today after 167 missions and more than 4,800 flight hours in Southwest Asia. The RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude reconnaissance system is designed and produced by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC).

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 21 Feb 2006
• Middle East: Hamas Leader Set To Become Palestinian Premier RFE/RL 21 Feb 2006 -- Ismail Haniyah lives with his wife and 11 children in a Gaza refugee camp, on a narrow street overflowing with raw sewage. Now the Hamas leader is poised to become prime minister of the next Palestinian government
• Palestinian President Appoints Hamas Leader Prime Minister VOA 21 Feb 2006 -- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed Ismail Haniyeh of the militant Islamic group Hamas to be the next prime minister.
• Israel Says Peace Talks with Palestinians Possible VOA 21 Feb 2006 -- Israel's acting prime minister says peace talks with Palestinians are still possible, even though the Palestinian government will be run by the Islamic militant group Hamas
• Rice Tells Hamas to Choose Terror or Politics VOA 21 Feb 2006 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has urged the Palestinian militant group Hamas to choose between terror and politics as it prepares to take control of the Palestinian government
• Haniyah To Be Asked To Form Hamas Government RFE/RL 21 Feb 2006 -- Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas will formally ask Ismail Haniyah today to form a government.
• Mideast: U.S. Secretary Tries To Solidify Support RFE/RL 21 Feb 2006 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is embarking on a trip through the Middle East, hoping to enlist the support of regional governments for Washington's campaign to isolate Hamas and the Iranian leadership. Rice arrives in Egypt today
• Pledging funds, UN envoy to Liberia welcomes reconciliation commission UN News Centre 21 Feb 2006 -- Helping launch a reconciliation commission to heal the societal wounds of Liberia's brutal 14-year civil war, the United Nations envoy to the West African country said that the UN Development Programme (UNDP) would donate $500,000 to aid its operations.
• LIBERIA: War-battered nation launches truth commission IRIN 21 Feb 2006 -- The Liberian government has officially launched a truth and reconciliation commission to probe human rights abuses over the past quarter-century in the war-wounded country.
• Tensions Grow as Sudan Opposes UN Troops in Darfur VOA 21 Feb 2006 -- Tensions are running high in Sudan, as a controversial proposal that would allow United Nations peacekeepers into Darfur, has been met with disapproval by the Sudanese government
• Nepal parties dismiss King's dialogue offer IRNA 21 Feb 2006 -- Nepal's seven-party pro-democracy alliance has dismissed King Gyanendra's appeal for reconciliation as an attempt to 'hoodwink' the international community and 'consolidate' his authoritarian rule.
• UN-Mediated Kosovo Talks Adjourn RFE/RL 21 Feb 2006 -- UN-mediated talks between Serbian and ethnic Albanian negotiators ended in Vienna today.
• Armenia/Azerbaijan: Karabakh President Demands To Be Included In Settlement Talks RFE/RL 21 Feb 2006 -- In an interview with RFE/RL's Armenian Service on 18 February, Arkady Ghukasian, president of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), said that Baku's refusal to hold direct talks with members of the Karabakh leadership is slowing down mediation efforts on the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Georgia: Tbilisi Seeks EU Support As Tensions Rise In South Ossetia RFE/RL 21 Feb 2006 -- Georgia has in recent weeks upped the pressure on the European Union, seeking backing against what it sees as increasing Russian assertiveness in the South Ossetian conflict
• SOMALIA: Thousands displaced as Mogadishu clashes continue IRIN 21 Feb 2006 -- Thousands of people have fled the northern and northeastern suburbs of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, since clashes between militia groups started over the weekend, a top city official said.
• CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Donors pledge support for humanitarian crisis IRIN 21 Feb 2006 -- A donor conference for the Central African Republic (CAR) has ended in the Cameroonian capital Yaounde, with funding assurances to the poverty-stricken nation.
• Geneva Talks Will Determine Future Course of Sri Lanka Peace Process VOA 21 Feb 2006 -- The Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels are meeting in Switzerland to hold their first direct discussions since the island's peace process ground to a halt nearly three years ago
• State Department Briefing, February 21 Washington File 21 Feb 2006 -- Philippines, South Korea, Serbia, Israel/Palestinians, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Mexico, Iraq, Sudan, Bolivia, Cyprus, China/Taiwan, Kosovo

News Reports

• PRESS CONFERENCE BY ‘GROUP OF 77’ DEVELOPING COUNTRIES United Nations 21 Feb 2006
• U.S. Pledges Continued Support for Philippine Mudslide Relief Washington File 21 Feb 2006 -- President Bush called Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo February 20 to offer the United States' condolences and pledge continued support for mudslide rescue and relief efforts in the Philippine province of Southern Leyte, State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said in a February 21 statement.
• Arroyo Says She Will Not be Driven from Office Like her Predecessors VOA 21 Feb 2006 -- Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has vowed to complete her term of office, warning that neither a popular revolt nor a military coup will drive her from power early.
• UN: World Begins Search For Next Secretary-General RFE/RL 21 Feb 2006 -- Last week, the Security Council began discussions on the selection of the next United Nations leader.
• Kazakh Secret Agents Held Over Sarsenbaev's Killing RFE/RL 21 Feb 2006 -- Kazakhstan's secret service says five of its members have been detained on suspicion of involvement in the killing of the opposition leader Altynbek Sarsenbaev.